Joseph Smith
Conspiracy to defraud *
Sentence
20 months imprisonment suspended for 23 months, 50 hours unpaid work, 30 days rehabilitation
Joseph Smith, 18, assisted his father William in operating as rogue traders under fake company names like AAA Roofing and Property Services and BSJ Roofing, targeting vulnerable elderly residents in Woking and Pulborough. They quoted for minor roofing and guttering work but inflated costs by claiming additional unnecessary jobs, completing substandard work that often caused damage. They defrauded victims out of around £86,000, with at least £100,000 prevented, including scams in September 2022 in Goldsworth Park (£13,800 paid out of £32,000 quoted), Horsell (£18,960 paid out of £25,000 quoted), and September 2023 in Woking (£18,800 paid by an 84-year-old woman who later passed away). In March 2024, Joseph drove a Guildford man with Alzheimer's to his bank to withdraw £1,250, with messages on his phone revealing plans to extract up to £20,000. The group used proceeds for holidays to Dubai and Tenerife, and luxury items like Rolex watches and designer clothing. Police investigation involved CCTV, financial records, and phone forensics revealing photos of victims handing over cash.
Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. Sentenced as a young offender. Involved in driving a vulnerable victim to the bank to withdraw money.